Electroplating apparatus.



L. POTTHOFF.

ELECTROPLATING- APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 2. 1909.

941,535. Patented Nov. 30. 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1 II H il II II K L. POTTHOFF. ELECTROPLATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 2. 1909v Patented Nov. 30, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

L. POTTHOFF.

ELECTROPLATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 2. 1909.

Patented Nov. 30. 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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, LOUIS POTTHOFF, OF FLUSHING, NEW YORK.-

ELECTROPLATING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 30, 1909.

Application filed February 2, 1909. Serial No. 475,603.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS, Po'rrHoFr, citizen of the United States,residing at F lushing, in the county of Queens and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electroplating Apparatus, of which the following is a full,

clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates to plating apparatus, and more particularly to electro-plating apparatus, and has for an object the production of an apparatus wherein the entire handling of the material shall be accomplished mechanically.

A further object is the construction'and arrangement of means for plating material, and means for preparing material for the market after the same has been coated-with metal in said plating means, such as means for washing, draining, drying, sorting, and other means, wherein one lot of material may be plated, and at the same 'time another lot of material which has been previously plated, may be subjected to the subsequent treatment.

. A further object of this invention is a construction and arrangement of the anodes with supports for the same, and cathode terminals with mountings for the same in the plating means, which preferably is of the tumbling type.

A further object of my invention is to improve upon apparatus heretofore devised for automatically discharging the contents of the plating, washing and other means, so

7 that the articles to be treated are progressed continuously through said means and at the same time permitting thorough treatment in each of said treating means.

Further objects of my invention will appear from the accompanying drawings and the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a 'plan view of an apparatus embodying my invention; Fig. 2 1s a central section, wlth portions in elevation, of the. same; Fig. 3 is a detail sectional elevation of a modification showing the washing drum and combined draining, drying, and sorting drums;

Figs. 4 and 5 represent, respectively, a transverse central section and longitudinal central section of the tumbling barrel, showing one form of anode and cathode members;

and Figs. 6 and 7 represent, respectively, a transverse central section and longitudinal central section of the tumbling barrel, showing a second arrangement of anode and cathode members.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the tumbling barrel 1 is mounted on a shaft supported on the solution tank 2 by bearings 3. Tumbling barel 1 is rotated by means of sprocket 4 and chain 5. On the opposite side of barrel 1 is a sprocket 6 with driving chain 7 which actuates the sprocket 8 on one end of shaft 9, shaft 9 being journaled in bearing 10, supported on tank 2. Shaft 9 is provided with bevel gear 11, meshing with gear 12 positioned at one end of shaft 13. Shaft 13 is provided with a bearing 14 in proximity to gear 12. Mounted upon shaft 13 are the washing drum 15, draining drum 16, and drying drum 17. Shaft 13 is preferably slightly inclined to assist the progressive movement of articles treated in washing drum 15, draining drum 16, and drying drum 17.

When the tumbling barrel 1 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 18 the contained material is subjected to the combined tumbling and plating treatment, and' at the same time the devices for subsequent mechanical handling of the material are operated to progress the material through the various operations and finally sorted and collected in a suitable receptacle for shipment or storage.

" Tumbling barrel 1 comprises a barrel having its inner eriphery covered with porous material,.,preferably cocoa-matting 21, upon which strips 20 are placed, in whichstrips '20 there are provided holes of such size as to prevent the articles treated in barrel 1 from proJecting therethrough. I find the cocoa-matting coverlng to possess many advantages over material heretofore employed for this purpose, for by means of cocoamatting the articles are 'ven a hi h polish, and no obstruction is o ered by t e cocoamattin to the passage of the electric current. gtrilps 20 may be made of wood or other insu ating material. The barrel 1 is supported on tank 2 by means of spiders 22 joined to shafts of sprockets 4 and 6, ,respectively.

Within barrel 1, a pocket 23 is formed by 27 controlled by springs 28.

extending across the barrel an inclined plate making an angle with the curved side of barrel 1, and a pivoted automatically actuated door 24 closes the opening at the end of pocket 23. As shown, the pocket 23 extends transversely across barrel 1, opening within said barrel so that when said barrel is rotated in the direction of arrow 25 articles will be caught by pocket 23 and will be in a position to be discharged upon the automatic opening of door 24. Door 24 is provided with springs 26 and latching devices whereby to automatically open the door upward when the latching devices are tripped.

On the ends of barrel 1 are pivoted latches Latches 27 cooperate with pins 29 on the door 24, so that normally latches 27 hold the door 24 in closed position against the tension of springs 26.

Supported by standards 30. on tank 2 are pivoted tripping fingers 31, one end of each finger 31 cooperating with each of the latches 27, the other end of each finger 31 being weighted and further provided with a lug 32 contacting with standard 30 to maintain normally each finger 31 in a horizontal position and preventing further rotation in the counter clockwise direction. When barrel 1 is rotated in the direction of arrow 18 the latches 27 will depress the fingers 31 without being tripped, but upon reversal of rotation in the direction of arrow 25 fingers 31 will trip latches 27, allowing the door 24 to open automatically and permit material caught in pockets 23 to be disphlalri'ged from barrel 1 outside the plating Mounted on tank 2 on the opposite side are stationary cams 33 which are engaged by pins 29 to close and latch the door 24, as' shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. This occurs upon continued reverse rotation of the plating barrel, and the door will again automatically open to discharge a further quantity of material caught by pocket 23 when the latch 27 is again tripped.

Chute 34 is pivoted on funnel member 35 which is mounted on washing tank 36 by means of arms 37.

Washing drum '15 is composed of perforated material mounted on shaft 13 by means of a spider 38. At one end there is an opening registering with funnel member 35, and at-the opposite end is a pocket 39 positioned so that articles contained in the drum'when rotated in the direction of the arrow'19-will be caught in pocket 39 and discharged into the draining drum 16.

Draining drum 16 is preferably connected withwashi'n'gjdrum 15, and as shown, may be similarly constructed of perforated material. prefer to dispose within draining drum '16"a conv'eyer, such as a screw 40 asbestos or similar material.

mounted on shaft 13, to move the material along at such rate as to insure p oper drainage. Obviously the screw 40,may be omitted and thematerial may be advanced by the inclination of draining drum 16.

Connected with draining drum 16 and having an opening receiving the discharge from pocket 39 is the drying drum 17, which may be supported by a spider 41'. The drying drum 17 may be formed of perforated material, and with an outer covering of Drying drum 17 is preferably provided also with a stationary housing 42.

43 is a heater disposed below the drum 17 shown as a plurality of gas jets, but ohviously any other type of heating means may be employed. Drying drum 17 is further provided with a combined discharging pocket and chute 44, which pocket 44 is so positioned that articles are caught therein at the bottom, and discharged at the top, when the drum is rotated in the direction of the arrow 19.

As shown in Fig. 2, the washing drumis of such diameter or so positioned as to be partially immersed in the washing liquid in tank 36, which washing liquid may be continuously replenished by means of suitable supply and discharge pipes. The draining drum 16 is of smaller diameter than the washing drum 15, and, preferably, one end of draining drum 16'bears upon the upper side of tank 36, the bearing friction being relieved by anti-friction roller devices 45 cooperating with a bearing ring 46 on draining drum 16.

As shown in Fig. 3, the draining drum 16 and drying drum 17 may be combined in one drum, and, when thus constructed, the shaft 13 may be journaled in an exterior fixed bearing 47. Furthermore, I may combine one or more drums 48 having openings registering with the opening of the combined drum 16 and 17 for sorting the various sizes of articles treated. This may be accomplished by providing the drum or drums 48 with exterior perforations varying in size progressively so as to discharge the smaller articles first. In practice, I have discovered that articles maybe plated, and especially galvanized, more efiiciently by treating various shapes and sizes of articles at the same time, and it will thus be seen that the sorting means 48 possesses great utility as an element of my mechanical plating device.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, the shaft 49 of barrel 1 may be made of any suitable conducting material, to which are affixed within barrel 1 a plurality of arms 50 of conducting material, which constitute the cathode terminals. The negative connection, as indicated, of. the source of current is made through the bearing 3 to shaft 49 and arms 50 contacting with the articles to be plated. In this form I have shown anodes 51 consisting of a plurality of bars being suitably supported in spiders 22, which spiders 22 are preferably made of conducting material. Anodes 51 are of such size as to be inserted or withdrawn through the openings in spiders 22. Anodes 51 may be provided with suitable insulating porous coverings to prevent the articles contained in barrel 1 from contacting with said anodes; I prefer cocoa-matting as such covering means.

The cathode terminals 50 and anodes 51 may be symmetrically distributed in barrel 1, said cathode terminals 50, of course, extending a greater distance from shaft 49 in order to contact with the articles to be plated. In this construction I connect the positive terminal of the source of current by A means of brushes 52, or equivalent devices, contacting with the circular flanges of spiders 22. In this arrangement and construction, it will be noted, the cathode terminals 50 and anodes 51 are rotated with the barrel 1.

In Figs. 6 and 7, I show a second arrangement of cathode terminals and anodes. The two bars 55 and 56 separated by an insulating strip are clamped or otherwise held together to constitute the bar 57; bar 57 rests in a recess 58 of spider 59 and" is insulated therefrom at one end, the other end extending throughand being insulated from the hollow shaft 60 which rigidly connects sprocket 4 with spider 61. Bar 55 is electrically connected, as indicated, with the negative terminal of the source of current supply and supports the conducting cathode terminal 62, which may be constructed of a radial strip 63, atone end of which the arc strip 64 is aflixed; at the other end of strip 63 is secured a depending strip 65. I The bar 56 supports and lselectrically connected with each of the anode carrying arms 66, one end of each of arms 66 being of a hook shape adapteckto support the removable anodes 67. The anodes 67 comprise rods, preferably of the metal to be deposited, and may be provided with a porous non-conducting covering, such as cocoa matting or similar material. It will be seen in this construction that the cathode terminals 64 and anodes 67 are stationary, the

bar 57 resting in recess 58 and hollowshaft 60. The anodes 67 and cathode terminals 64 may be chosen of such relative weight and so distributed that they remain substantially in the position shown in Figs. 6 and 7 I I to insure a positive means of preventing rotation when barrel 1 is revolved, the bar 57 may be held by means of a fixed bracket 69.

From the foregoing descri tion it will be seen that the path of electric current will be through the anode bars, thence through the electrolyte contained in the plating tank 2, thence to the articles to be plated, thence through the cathode terminals, and finally to the source of current supply.

When galvanizing I prefer the anode to be constituted of zinc cast about a reinforcing core of neutral material.

It will be understood that outside anodes 68, that is, exterior of barrell, may be employed with either of the arrangements and constructions of interior anode and cathode members described above. To provide for means whereby the operator may inspectfthe interior of barrel 1, one or more doors 70 are disposed in either or both of the sides of barrel 1. It will be obvious that more than one pocket 28 and associated door 24 may be disposed in barrel 1, and furthermore, that the number of discharging pocketsand the relative capacity of each pocket in each of the treatingmeans above described may be chosen to suit particular needs. The relative dimensions of the several rotatingdevices and the relative speeds of movement are matters to be chosen according to requirements, as Will be understood by those skilled. in the art.

To prevent electrical leakage the shaft of I The operation of my apparatus will now be understood from the preceding detailed description supplemented by the following explanations. The articles to be plated are charged into barrel 1 through the open door 24, when said door is held open by springs 26 at or near the cam surfaces 33, as shown in the position illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, where the door acts as a chute. When the barrel 1 is rotated in the direction ofarrow 18 the articles contained therein are subjected to simultaneous plating and tumbling, and after a suflicient coating ofv metal has been formed on the articles, the direction of rotation of the barrel is reversed, .thereby allowing the pocket 23' to pick up and automatically discharge the plated articles on to the chute 34, and thence into the washing drum 15.

Upon further .charging of. the plating From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I have provided an electro-plating apparatus which will, as long as it is supplied with material, perform mechanically the operations of galvanizing, washing, drying and sorting, obviating entirely the necessity of manually handling the mate rial. It has been found that with my improvement one attendant can manage a number of electro-plating machines, and, consequently, largely reduce the expense of operation, and increase the output, as well as secure a more uniform product.

It will be understood that my invention is capable of embodiment in Various other forms of construction without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, I declare that what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. An apparatus for plating articles, comprising in combination tumbling means having automatic means for discharging articles therefrom, means including washing means for subsequent treatment provided with means for progressing articles through the same, and in operative relation to said tumbling means to receive articles discharged therefrom, and a single means for controlling at will said automatic discharging means and said progressing means.

2. An apparatus for platmg articles,

comprising in combination tumbling means immersed in a solution tank, said tumbling means being provided with automatic discharging means, means including washing means for subsequent treatment provided with automatic means for progressing articles through the same, and in operative relation to said tumbling means to receive articles discharged therefrom, and a single means for controlling at will said automatic discharging means and said automatic progressing means.

3. An apparatus for plating articles, comprising in combination tumbling means immersed in a solution tank, said tumbling means being provided with automatic discharging means, means including washing means for subsequent treatment provided with automatic means for progressing articles through the same, and in operative relation to said tumbling means to receive articles discharged therefrom, and a single means for alternatively actuating said auto matic discharging means and said automatic progressing means.

4. An apparatus for plating articles, comprising amovable tumbling means adapted to immerse articles in a plating solution, washing means provided with a shaft for moving the same, movable means for subsequent treatment mounted upon said shaft, and

automatic progressing means disposed in said washing and subsequent treatment means.

5. An apparatus for plating articles, comprising a movable tumbling means adapted to immerse articles in a plating solution, said tumbling means being provided with automatic discharging means, means for moving said tumbling means, driven means actuated by said moving means in a plurality of directions, means for washing operated by said driven means, and automatic progressing means disposed in said washing means.

6. An apparatus for plating articles, comprising rotatable tumbling means provided with automatic discharging means, means including washing means for subsequent treatment provided with automatic means for progressing articles through the same and in operative relation to said tumbling means to receive articles discharged therefrom, means for rotating said subsequent treatment means in any one of a plurality of directions at will, and automatic means disposed in said washing means for discharging articles therefrom.

7 An apparatus for plating articles, comprising tumbling means adapted to immerse articles in a plating solution, means for causing said tumbling means to be moved at will in either of two directions, said tumbling means being provided with discharging means operative only when said tumbling means is moved in one of said directions, movable means for subsequent treatment in operative relation to said tumbling means to receive articles discharged therefrom, means actuated when said tumbling means is moved for moving said subsequent treatment means in two corresponding directions, and progressing means disposed in said subsequent treatment means operative only when said subsequent treatment means is moved in one of said corresponding directions.

8. In a device for electro-plating articles, means for supporting the articles to be plated provided with means for changing the contact area of support of the articles, one or more anodes exterior of a side of said supporting means, a plurality of anodes interior of and substantially parallel to said side, and cathode terminals having active areas lying between said exterior and said interior anodes.

9. In a device for electro-plating articles, means for supporting the articles to be plated pro-vided with means for charging the points of contact of the articles with said supporting means, one or more anodes exterior of and substantially parallel to a side of said supporting means, one or more anodes interior of and substantially parallel to'said side, cathode terminals having active surfaces lined between said exterior and said interior anodes, and automatic means for discharging the articles from said supporting means.

10. In a device for plating articles, movable tumbling means provided with automatic discharging means operable only when said tumbling means is moved in a certain direction, means permitting said tumbling means to be moved in a plurality of directions, means including a shaft actuated by said moving means and adapted to be driven in' a plurality of corresponding directions, washing means mounted on said shaftand in operative relation to said tumbling means for receiving articles discharged therefrom, and automatic progressing means disposed in said washing means operable only when said shaft is moved in a certain direction ofsaid corresponding directions.

11. In a device for plating articles, tumbling means, a tank adapted to contain a plating solution into which articles contained in said tumbling means may be immersed, one or more anodes disposed in said solution exterior of a side of said tumbling means, a plurality of anodes interior of said tumbling means substantially parallel to said side, and cathode terminals having active surfaces lying between said interior and said exterior anodes.

12. The combination in an electro-plating device, of a receptacle adapted to immerse articles contained therein in the plating solution, two or more anodes lying in different horizontal planes and supported within said receptacle, and cathode terminals having active surfaces lying between said anodes and the bottom of said receptacle.

13. Ina device for electro-plating articles, a movable means adapted to immerse the articles in an electrolyte, a plurality of anodes positioned in a plurality of horizontal planes, cathode terminals having active surfaces positioned in a plurality of vertical planes, said active surfaces lying between said anodes and the bottom of said movable means, and conducting leads in suitable relationship with said anodes and said cathode terminals.

14. In combination with the tumbling means of a lating device, means for washing, means or draining, means for drying, means for sorting, a common means for mounting said means and adapted to be moved, and means disposed in said washing, draining, and drying means, for progressing the articles to be treated therein.

15. In a device for plating articles, the combination of tumbling means provided with means for automatically discharging the same, means for subsequent treatment in suitable relationship to said tumbling means to receive articles discharged therefrom and operative when given a plurality of movements, said means for subsequent treatment being provided with automatic progressing means, and means for imparting at will any one of a plurality of movements to said subsequent treatment means.

16. The combination with a tumbling barrel and means for electro-plating material carried therein, of means for mechanically discharging material therefrom into a washing "tank, a washing tank, means for tumbling and moving the material through the washing tank, a drier, and means mechanically discharging the material from the washing tank into the drier.

17. The combination with a tank adapted for electro-plated material, of a conveyer thereinfor progressing material in the tank while rotated in one dlrection, means whereby the material is elevated from the solution upon reversal of said conveyer, and a second conveyer receiving the discharge from said first conveyer.

. 18. The combination with a tank adapted to contain a solution for treating comminuted material, of a rotary conveyer therein for progressing material from one end toward the other, and means whereby the material is elevated from the solution and discharged from the tank upon reversal of the direction of rotation of said conveyer.

19. The combination with means for electro-plating comminuted material, of means for mechanically discharging said-material into a drying apparatus, a rotary drier operating to progress material longitudinally, and means whereby upon a predetermined direction of rotation the contents of the drier are automatically discharged.

20. The combination with a tumbling barrel and means whereby upon reversal of rotation the contents are automatically discharged, means rotating therewith for further treating material, means whereby the material is discharged from said tumbling barrel to said treating means, means where-' by the material is discharged from said treating means upon reversing its direction of rotation, and means for reversing the rotation of the tumbling barrel and the treating means.

21. The combination with a tumbling barrel and means whereby upon reversal of rotation the contents are automatically discharged, means-rotating therewith for further treating material, means whereby the -material is discharged from said tumbling barrel to said treating means, means whereby the material is discharged from said treating means upon reversing its direction of rotation, and a single means for reversing the rotation of the tumbling barrel and the treating means.

22. The combination with a tumbling barrel having an aperture and means permittin discharge of material only when rotatlng in one direction, of a door for closing said aperture, latchin means for holding said door closed, and atch tripping means rel having an aperture and means permittin discharge of material only when rotating in one direction, of a door for closing said aperture, means tending normally to hold the door open, latching means for holcl- 15- ing the door closed as long as the barrel is rotating in one direction, and latch tripping means efiective to release the latch when the barrel is rotated in the other direction.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, 20 in presence of two witnesses.

LOUIS POTTHOFF.

Witnesses:-

J. S. Woos'rER, HENRY J. LUOKE. 

